McKinsey FINALLY updates their Productivity Curve, & The Future Of Construction - David Rockhill, Partner at McKinsey
Construction tech is booming, but adopting it remains a challenge. Why?
David Rockhill from McKinsey shared some eye-opening insights on our latest episode.
He explained how the industry has changed in the last 6-7 years, with tech now tackling on-site issues - the biggest value pool in construction.
He also revealed how AR and VR are transforming construction worker training, making it faster and more effective than ever before.
We discussed:
✅ The updated McKinsey productivity curve (coming soon!)
✅ Why "pilot purgatory" hinders tech adoption
✅ How AR/VR and digital twins are revolutionizing worker training
✅ McKinsey's AI tool "Lily" that's transforming knowledge management
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This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future.
Visit: https://maketheshft.digital
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BuildVision is a procurement network for the $5T commercial construction market. We are transforming the commercial construction supply chain by bringing contractors, manufacturers, and project stakeholders onto a single software platform—revolutionizing how every component is sourced, purchased, and financed.
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
04:02 - Main Reasons for Less Productivity In Construction
06:10 - David's Journey Into McKinsey
16:30 - Trends that David sees In Construction Industry
24:25 - David's Perspective on Robotics
34:56 - Process That Corporations Customers Should Follow
40:00 - How David Picks The Best Solution
45:14 - Problems That Innovation Heads Have
49:35 - Future of Software in AEC
01:05:48 - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
Why Most Construction Tech Startups are Doomed to Fail | KP Reddy, Founder of Shadow Ventures
What does it REALLY take to launch a successful construction tech startup?
KP Reddy, a global authority in AEC and founder of Shadow Ventures, pulls back the curtain and reveals the secrets behind startup success.
Join us for an eye-opening episode with Reddy – a VC, founder, CEO, advisor, investor, professor and author – to learn how to break into the industry. Listen to how he combines expertise in advanced technologies with critical, in-the-trenches experience.
Discover his unique take on the future of venture capital driven by AI – and how it can transform the way startups are built and funded.
Key takeaways:
Founders must remain curious and validate their ideas before launching
AI could significantly lower barriers to entry for software startups
The construction tech space is ripe with opportunities for innovation
Shadow Ventures is supporting early-stage companies with industry expertise and connections
And much more.
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Tune in now to learn from one of the most knowledgeable and experienced voices in the construction tech industry.
Stay ahead. Get all the news and insider exclusives delivered straight to your inbox.
Sign up for our newsletter The Bytes Line at: https://bricks-bytes.com
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricksbytes/
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This episode is brought to you by Shft—helping contractors like you leverage BIM to secure a leading position in the race towards construction’s digital future.
Visit: https://maketheshft.digital
—----------------------------------
BuildVision is a procurement network for the $5T commercial construction market. We are transforming the commercial construction supply chain by bringing contractors, manufacturers, and project stakeholders onto a single software platform—revolutionizing how every component is sourced, purchased, and financed
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Timestamps:
(00:00 - 02:36) - Intro
(02:36 - 09:30) - KP's Construction Background
(09:30 - 20:06) - Finding The Right Founders In Construction Tech
(20:06 - 23:47) - KP's Experience Writing 3 Books
(23:47 - 30:19) - Advice for Founders Who Just Raised Money
(30:19 - 35:50) - Portfolio Companies That KP Has Invested At
(35:50 - 41:18) - Startups Building Tangible Things
(41:18 - 50:29) - Process Followed In Backend by Shadow Ventures
(50:29 - 59:15) - Corporate Venture Capitalists
(59:15 - 01:12:41) - How VCs Identify Good Robotics Startups
(01:12:41 - 01:19:42) - How Much Importance VCs Give To Profitability
(01:19:42 - 01:20:20) - Outro
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Bricks & Bytes
Balancing Innovation and Reliability in Construction Robotics - Lessons from Canvas CEO
Note: This is a Re-Release of an episode that was originally released on BitBuilders.
"We were embarrassed by our first product, and that's exactly how it should be."
In today's episode of BitBuilders, we had Kevin Albert, co-founder and CEO of Canvas, and we got to learn about the challenges of bringing robotics to construction, the importance of focusing on customer pain points, and the journey from government grants to commercial success.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why being embarrassed by your first product is a good sign
✅ The importance of reducing lead times in hardware development
✅ How to find and nurture customer champions for your product
✅ The value of data-driven insights in improving customer experience
Listen now on Spotify to hear Kevin's insights on building a successful construction robotics company and the future of automation in the industry.
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Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
-----------------------
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bricks-bytes/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricksbytespod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNbunUTIIQDzbJgGJt9_Zg
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#podcast #construction #constructionindustry #bricksandbytes #startups #architecture #design #civilengineering #engineering #constructiontechnology #engineer #architect #civilengineer #concrete #podcaster #podcasting #entrepreneur #podcasts #podcastlife #startups #entrepreneurship
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Bricks & Bytes
Building a $902M Construction Tech Giant: Inside OpenSpace's Growth Story
Note: This is a Re-Release of an episode that was originally released on Groundbreakers.
Unicorn? Nearly. But who cares
In today's episode of Groundbreakers from Bricks and Bytes, we had Jeevan from OpenSpace, and we got to learn about building a successful construction tech startup, the importance of product simplicity, and how to scale effectively in a complex industry.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ Why focusing on mid-market clients can be more valuable than chasing big names
✅ The power of a simple, user-friendly product in driving adoption
✅ How OpenSpace's technology is reducing insurance claims in construction
✅ The importance of demonstrating quick time-to-value for customers
Listen to the full episode on Spotify to gain insights from one of construction tech's most innovative leaders.
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Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
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#podcast #construction #constructionindustry #bricksandbytes #startups #architecture #design #civilengineering #engineering #constructiontechnology #engineer #architect #civilengineer #concrete #podcaster #podcasting #entrepreneur #podcasts #podcastlife #startups #entrepreneurship
$32M Series B: How Stratus is Revolutionizing MEP Workflows
"300 billion dollars for AI infrastructure in the next few years - but who will design and build it all?" - A thought-provoking insight from our latest conversation about the massive construction needs for AI's future.
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we learned about Stratus raising $32M Series B to revolutionize MEP contractors' digital workflows.
We explored how tech giants Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are planning to spend $300B on AI infrastructure construction, creating massive opportunities in the data center space.
Through Patric Hellermann's investor lens, we discovered why focusing on core infrastructure and authoring tools might be smarter than chasing AI-first solutions.
Tune in to find out about:
✅ How Stratus is transforming MEP contractor workflows from design to fabrication
✅ The emerging opportunities in data center construction and infrastructure
✅ Why owning authoring tools beats single-point AI features
✅ The strategic advantage of avoiding overcrowded AI-first solutions
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Stratus and AI in Construction
05:44 Understanding Stratus: MEP Workflows and Digital Solutions
11:21 The Role of AI in Design and Construction
17:00 The Future of Engineering: Human Touch vs. AI
24:01 Emerging Companies and Innovations in Construction Tech
24:35 Automation in Engineering Workflows
25:50 Massive Investments in AI Infrastructure
27:52 Emerging Startups in AI Data Centers
31:40 The Role of AI in Construction
35:00 Navigating the AI Gold Rush
37:33 The Inefficiency of Venture Capital Allocation
read more
Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
The Truth About 3D Printed Homes: A Deep Dive Into ICON's $450M Technology
Is 3D printing concrete homes worth the $450M investment?
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we got to learn that despite being a $2B company, ICON's 3D printed homes only show a tiny 0.5% carbon advantage over regular timber construction.
We also explored why Q4 2024 was special for construction tech - it grabbed nearly 1% of all VC funding, the second-highest share ever. Even more impressive given that 2024 saw the lowest overall VC funding since 2014.
The most striking insight came from questioning the basics - why use concrete, a material best for large-scale projects, to print single-family homes?
Tune in to find out about:
✅ What's driving Asia-Pacific's growing lead in construction tech funding
✅ Why 3D printed concrete homes struggle in wet climates
✅ Which parts of construction tech are actually getting funded
✅ How early-stage funding stayed strong while growth rounds dropped
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Technical Glitches
01:03 Recent News: ICON's Layoffs and Valuation
02:49 Exploring 3D Concrete Printing Technology
05:49 Sustainability Concerns in Concrete Printing
08:59 Comparative Analysis: Concrete vs. Timber Homes
12:04 Challenges in 3D Concrete Printing
14:56 Automation and Efficiency in Home Construction
18:09 Future of 3D Concrete Printing Technology
21:54 Challenges in 3D Concrete Printing
22:56 Market Fit for 3D Concrete Homes
24:04 Impact of Staff Reductions on Valuation
25:47 Understanding Company Valuations and Experiments
27:07 Applications of 3D Printing in Housing
29:02 First Principles of Cost in Construction
30:58 Trends in AEC Tech Funding
39:10 Market Dynamics and Future Predictions
read more
Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Building a €450M Construction Tech Giant: How Philip Schröder's Marketing Built Germany's Latest Energy Tech Giant
"Your margin is my opportunity... unless you're selling outcomes in construction tech!"
In today's episode of Bricks, Bucks and Bytes, we explored 1KOMMA5°'s impressive €150M pre-IPO round and their unique approach of acquiring 30+ companies since 2021 to scale their energy tech business.
We also learned about an intriguing debate around whether companies can call themselves "market leaders" in Germany, sparked by a court case between 1KOMMA5° and their competitor.
The most fascinating insight came from Patric's take on fixed vs. variable costs in construction tech: Companies that produce with fixed costs but sell outcomes (variable costs) have a unique opportunity to build generational businesses in construction - but this window might only last 10 years.
Tune in to learn about:
✅ Why 1KOMMA5°'s founder Philip Schröder's marketing genius is their secret sauce
✅ How selling outcomes beats traditional SaaS pricing in construction
✅ Why converting variable costs to fixed costs through automation is game-changing
✅ An innovative structural engineering firm reducing design time by 90%
Sign up to the #1 Newsletter In Construction Tech. Join over 1,000 like-minded Founders, Investors and Techies disrupting the way we build. Forever : https://bricks-bytes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:56 Diving into One Comma Five
06:01 Understanding the Solar PV Market
11:59 Investment Insights and Market Valuation
18:03 The Role of Technology in Energy Solutions
24:02 Marketing Strategies and Competitive Landscape
30:12 Future Challenges and Business Models
31:07 The Evolution of Energy Training
32:29 Understanding Fixed vs. Variable Costs
37:38 The Impact of SaaS on Construction
43:34 Exploring IPOs and Market Trends
49:45 Emerging Trends in Construction Technology Sales
read more
Bricks, Buck$ And Bytes
Building a $1.6B Construction Tech Company in Australia - Lessons on Distribution vs Product
"The construction tech founders obsess over product, but distribution might matter more."
In today's episode, we discussed about VisiBuild securing a $6.6M round from Skip Capital to improve construction quality checks - going beyond just turning paper into apps.
We also discovered why Australian construction tech punches above its weight, with just two companies (Aconex and Safety Culture) putting the country third globally in unicorns.
Most valuable was Shubhankar's take on why typical SaaS metrics might not tell the whole story in construction tech's early stages.
Tune in to learn:
✅ Why the "build it and they will come" approach fails in construction
✅ How Australian founders turn their small market size into a global advantage
✅ What makes construction tech distribution different from regular SaaS
✅ Why community building matters as much as features
Listen to the full episode on Spotify to hear practical insights for anyone building or investing in construction tech.
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Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Distribution in AEC Tech
03:05 Execution Moat: The Key to Success
05:59 Navigating Distribution Challenges in Construction Tech
09:08 Market Dynamics: Distribution Strategies for Different ARR Levels
12:04 Global Perspectives: Indian Founders Targeting the US Market
14:49 Comparative Approaches: US vs. Indian Founders in Distribution
18:08 Community Building: A Strategy for Distribution Success
21:00 The State of SaaS in Indian Construction Tech
24:12 VisiBuild: A Case Study in Construction Tech Investment
33:14 Exploring Visibild's Impact in Construction Tech
36:09 The Evolution of Quality Checks in Construction
40:05 Unicorns in Construction Tech: Australia’s Rising Stars
42:58 The Unique Landscape of Australian Startups
47:59 Challenges and Opportunities for Australian Founders
52:57 Assessing Product-Market Fit in Construction Tech
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